Chapter 17 #2
“No. I think you’d rather stay at Audley, and I agree this is where you belong,” Christopher carried on, as if talking to himself.
He had a habit of doing that when faced with a problem.
It apparently helped him to clear his mind.
“And so, we need to find a solution for you to stay there. The best way, if not the only way, is to offer Hugh a substitute he will be unable to refuse.”
That was exactly what Alexander had concluded. But why was his friend telling him what they both knew already? “Yes,” he said more impatiently than he had intended.
“As you know, I have never been attached to Throckmorton Castle. It is a gloomy place filled with unhappy memories.”
Indeed, Christopher’s childhood had been just as miserable as his own.
That was one of the reasons the future Lord Ashton had taken him under his wing and invited him every time he visited Audley: to alleviate the solitude.
When he had lost his title, it had been a blow.
But he had only bemoaned the reversal of fortune because it prevented him from marrying the woman he loved—or so he thought.
The loss of the castle had not hurt him in the least.
Still, Alexander wondered what that had to do with his own predicament. Unfortunately, he had known about his brothers all his life, though he had been shocked to see that Hugh could turn so vindictive.
He waited for Christopher to get to the point.
“The former Lady Ashton and her new husband, Stephen, who have administered the place for me since Thomas’s death, have decided to move to Gloucester and be nearer his family.
They told me as much the other day. I happened to visit as they were about to send me a letter informing me of their decision. ”
“This is a surprise.”
“Yes. And a very unpleasant one, because even if I cannot begrudge them the decision, now I have to find an adequate replacement for them. I would happily just wash my hands of the place, but as Lord Ashton, I am responsible for the people.”
“Surely you can find someone trustworthy?” Plenty of noblemen had more than one domain and relied on stewards or members of their family to administer them in their absence. Like Hugh had done, with him at Audley. Until he’d changed his mind, that was.
Christopher shook his head. “I know, but it will likely take time, and honestly, I want nothing to do with the place. I am happy in Wales with Sian and the children; it is where I want to be, and I cannot bring myself to care or even think about the decrepit old place. But it’s not just about me.
I need to ensure the tenants get a new master. A fair, efficient one.”
Alexander cocked his head. Was his friend really offering him Throckmorton Castle? Surely not. That was much more than a favor to help him out of a difficult situation. “You’re not going to—”
“Ask you to be that man? No, I would never do that to a friend.” As if to prove the place was not one he would wish on anyone, he swept the room with an extended hand.
And indeed, Sir Stephen and his wife, despite their commendable effort, had not managed to overcome the sinister aspect of a castle that seemed, as Christopher had said, shrouded in unhappiness.
“Like me, you doubtless prefer comfortable Audley to grander but depressing Throckmorton.”
Size doesn’t matter, he had once told Gwenllian.
He had then repented of the words when he had taken her to bed the first time, but he meant it in this case.
His friend was right. Better a cozy, well-maintained domain than a sprawling but sinister one.
Thockmorton, like their family seat, Hotwell, seemed haunted by the unhappiness of its former inhabitants.
It was little wonder that Christopher’s sister-in-law and her new husband had decided to go live somewhere else.
Being in the place for nearly a decade would have sucked all the joy from their souls.
How they had lasted that long was anyone’s guess.
“I do prefer Audley. But what are you saying?” This conversation made little sense.
Christopher sat up and faced him squarely.
“Your brother wants to add to his consequence to impress his future father-in-law. Taking Audley back from you was the easiest solution, which is why he took it—that and the dubious pleasure of ruining your life, of course.” Alexander could not protest. “But he also said that if you came up with a better solution, he would leave the place to you. Well. We have found a better solution.”
“Do I like where this is going?” Alexander asked slowly.
“Yes, you do,” Christopher said firmly. “Because the only thing preventing you from agreeing that this is a good idea is your dislike for your brother on a personal level, which I share. But we also both agree that he will be a good ruler for the place. Don’t you see?
It is the perfect solution. You get to keep the place you care about, Hugh gets the prestigious castle he is after, the tenants get a competent lord to look after them and I get to finally wash my hands of the whole affair, forget this place I have always hated. ”
He stood up, a grin on his face, looking relieved. It was clear that in his mind, the deed was done.
Alexander, for his part, was too stunned to say anything.
“I will have the clerk draw the deeds transferring Throckmorton to Hugh in the morning.” Christopher was talking to himself again.
“You will give it to him only once he’s given you a paper stating that Audley has officially become yours to manage as you see fit, to be passed on to your descendants, not his.
That way you will be safe from his evil machinations. ”
Was this really happening, or was he dreaming? Alexander wondered. It seemed too good to be true.
“I doubt I will ever have any descendants,” he could not help to point out.
“I care not. I only mean to ensure that you, not Hugh, are in charge of Audley from now on. Besides, you’re still young, my friend. You might change your mind about having a family. Wait until you meet the woman who makes you want things you never knew you needed.”
His friend skewered him with a pointed look, as if to suggest he might already have met that woman. Alexander tensed. How had Christopher guessed that there was more between him and Gwenllian than what he had suggested?
“A woman?” he croaked.
“Of course. Look at what happened to me with Sian. I thought I was happy bedding all the women who wanted me, but she made me see I was only chasing something illusory. She was determined to have me and would not take no for an answer. And I’m glad I wasn’t a stubborn fool refusing to see the obvious. ”
Was he suggesting that Alexander was being a stubborn fool for not accepting that there could be more between him and Gwenllian?
More importantly, was he right? Only the other day, Alexander had started to wonder if he could begin rethinking his life plan.
Now that, thanks to his friend, his future was assured, could he really do it?
His mind was whirring.
“I don’t know what to say.”
Even if he was grateful, he was not sure he should accept such a huge favor. Throckmorton Castle, despite its gloomy atmosphere, was worth a lot more than Audley, and everyone knew it.
Christopher placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Start by saying: ‘I will go speak to Hugh on the morrow.’ Then you can stay silent if you want.”